The Region : Carson Councilman's Fraud Trial Opens

Carson Councilman Walter J. Egan received tens of thousands of dollars through intermediary organizations and political associates to support projects backed by convicted political fixer W. Patrick Moriarty and to enhance his own position, according to a government prosecutor. In an opening statement at Egan's trial in Los Angeles federal court, Chief Assistant U.S. Atty. Richard E. Drooyan accused the councilman of "fraud, corruption and abuse of power." The prosecutor said the Egan-Moriarty relationship resulted in the contribution of more than $30,000 by the Orange County businessman to political action organizations Egan ordered set up to help a pro-development bloc favoring a multimillion-dollar mobile home project backed by Moriarty to gain control of the City Council. Egan has been accused in a 12-count federal grand jury indictment of mail fraud and extortion. Moriarty, now serving seven years in prison, is expected to testify for the government.